On January 22nd, I was honored torepresent Disability Independence Group and speak on behalf of The Florida Hate Crime Coalition (FHCC). They applauded the recent filing of legislation that would strengthen Florida’s hate crime law. This bill, Florida HB 211 and SB 588, ensures that all persons are protected from crime that is perpetrated, in part, by a person’s race, color, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, homeless status, advanced age, gender, or gender identity.

Disability Rights are Civil Rights, and every civil rights movement has its heroes. For the Disability Rights movement, the father of the independent living movement is Ed Roberts. At a time when a person with polio was expected to spend his days in an iron lung, and not expected to participate in the community, Ed Roberts persisted, lived, and participated in his life and community.

Last month I wrote about the staggering number of person with disabilities that are victims of sexual assault. I spoke about their vulnerabilities to abuse and harassment. This topic remains front and center as a wave of discussion has spread across this country about sexual harassment and sexual assault. I am particularly interested in the Times Up Movement. It is a new initiative to correct the power imbalance that still exists for women. 300 prominent actresses and female agents, writers, directors, producers and entertainment executives formed this ambitious, sprawling initiative to fight systemic sexual harassment in Hollywood and in blue-collar workplaces nationwide.

Delta is tightening its rules on my brothers and sisters who provide a service or support, that travel in the main cabin with their companion. On Friday, January 19, 2018, Delta revealed its new rules that beginning March 1
st Delta will require documentation confirming the safety and necessity of service/support animal 48 hours before departure.

It seems these new rules were prompted after incidents of unprofessional conduct (including but not limited to biting) by my brothers and sisters who allegedly provide a service or support. I say “allegedly” because many people were abusing the system and identifying their pets as a service animal or an emotional support animal in order to avoid the costs associated for flying with regular pets. On a side note- there is no legitimate registry for service or emotional support animals for individuals who go on line to obtain such credentials.

Additionally, Delta is limiting the type of emotional support animals that are permitted in the main cabin with their companion. Delta will no longer permit turkeys, possums, snakes, ferrets, reptiles, or anything with tusks or hooves any more. This may create a problem for passengers since any type of animal (subject to the animal being a direct threat to the health or safety of others or unreasonable) may be an emotion support animal.

Many working aged individuals with disabilities (ages 18-64) are not working. The reasons vary, but for some it’s a fear of “If I start working, will my benefits be taken away from me?” The truth is:
No. People with disabilities can work without losing their financial security or health care benefits. There are many programs available that make it possible to still collect benefits while working. Here is a brief overview of a few programs available.

“
Approach the New Year with resolve to find the opportunities hidden in each new day.”

– Michael Josephson

I’ve decided to take a new approach to my New Year’s resolutions this year. In the past, I’ve done what most of us do, swear up and down to lose weight, exercise more, get more sleep.... the list of empty promises with vague, arbitrary deadlines has been an endless one for me. And, of course, inevitably, a few weeks or even a few days into the new year I’ve already broken half of the promises I made, and, yes, probably forgotten about the rest. The reality of real life always takes over and the resolutions go out the window along with any hope of getting any of those things done.

In a nutshell, Your Upward Journey: It is Easier Than You Think!, is a three-part project (book, self-help seminars and merchandise sale). I intend to promote the book through self-help seminars and sale of merchandise, such a mugs, journals, etc.